Tag: Quarterly Art Cards

Quarterly Art Card

Patreon Perks. One of the many little things I do for my supporters is … mail! For 2023, I committed to doing story-related mailings every month (access to those varies by tier). But the old standby is the Quarterly Art Card. This time around, I created square cards with the circlet of nippet eggs from the cover of Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend (releases 4/22). On the reverse, I even included an excerpt from the soon-to-release story.

Art Card: 5.25″ x 5.25″ (felted finish)
Reverse: Excerpt from Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend

Come, join the tiers! I’ll do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::

Look through the perks and find your best fit >>

by Categories: PatreonTags: , 1 Comment

Quarterly Art Card

September 2022. This will be a busy month for the mailboxes of those readers who’ve become patrons. The regularly scheduled September mailing will feature another illustration in the Ephemera collection:

Midivar | art by Ren

Normally, this mailing would only be available to patrons beginning at the Sparkle tier ($14/month), but a couple of times a year, I will do an Open Offer, making a mailing available to patrons at any tier. That’s what I’ve done for the midivar postcards, so if you’ve been thinking about becoming a patron, this would be a great time to do so. Glimmers ($1+) & Twinkles ($4/month) are able to request inclusion!

But wait, there’s more!

Quarterly Art Cards are one of my recurring thank you gifts to patrons. They’re sent out during solstices & equinoxes, since those dates have long been important to the Amaranthine clans. For the Autumn Equinox (September 22), I was given permission to use the cover art from the Hebrew edition of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox.

Cover Illustration: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Hebrew edition)
Artist: Omri Koresh

Bonus Story. As a little something extra, I wrote an exclusive story snippet, which is printed on the reverse. It’s called “Under the Ginkgo Trees” and features Tsumiko & Argent. Patrons beginning at the Twinkle tier will be able to request inclusion in the art card mailing. By the way, patrons starting at the Sparkle tier ($14/month) are automatically included in these quarterly mailings, and my Dazzles ($24/month) enjoy monthly mailings. All part of the perks of patronage!

Thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me so far. We’re nearly halfway to the community goal that will bring you Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons. (Summary & details about Kimi2 on this blog’s pinned post.)

For more information about perks for ALL the tiers, visit my Patreon page >>

by Categories: PatreonTags: , , , , , , 4 Comments

Quarterly Art Card

Perks of Patronage. One of the thank you gifts I create for my supporters over on Patreon is a Quarterly Art Card. For June’s summer solstice mailing (which is Dichotomy Day, you know), I’ve had prints made of one of the Ephemera that I commissioned from Ren this past spring. There will be four in all, so if you join up now, you may be able to collect them all! ::twinkle::

Quisp | art by Ren

“They are Ephemera.” Suuzu quietly explained, “A rare variety that develops a symbiotic relationship with certain trees. They must have been hibernating inside, but the presence of so many potent souls brought them out.”
“Lady Anna’s blade is an effective lure,” said Argent. “She is like springtime to them.”
Suuzu touched Kimiko’s shoulder. “If they remain active, I would not be surprised if your friend bloomed this year.”
“How fortunate we sealed your boundaries.” Argent darted upward and returned with a small creature caged between his fingers. It looked like a winged monkey, no bigger than a sparrow, with pale fur glowing softly in the darkness. Round eyes blinked drowsily at them as it clung to Argent’s fingers. He said, “I should bring one home to show Tsumiko.”
Akira rolled his eyes. “Like you don’t want it for your collection.” To Kimiko, he added, “Argent’s a repeat offender when it comes to smuggling Ephemera across borders.”

Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Amaranthine Saga, #2

. . .

Another series of short wingbeats descended, and something caught in Junpei’s hair, chittering as it clung. He balked, pulling Hajime up short, and whispered, “What is it?”
“You are attracting Ephemera. Calm yourself. These are both harmless and adorable.”
“Get it off?” he begged, bending so his companion could reach.
Hajime made hushing sounds. Maybe they were for the animal. Maybe they were for him. And when he stepped back, he had a strange creature in his hands. A teensy, winged monkey with pale fur that glowed in much the same way Churlish did.
“Nothing to fear,” soothed Hajime. “Not from innocents such as these.”

Flattered by Flowers
Songs of the Amaranthine, #8

Thank you to everyone who supports my stories, wherever they may be found! I’ll do my best to reward your trust, one tale (or trinket) at a time. ::glomp::

forthright on patreon >>

by Categories: Amaranthine Saga, Patreon, Songs of the AmaranthineTags: , , Leave a comment

Quarterly Art Card

Vernal Equinox. The box from my printer arrived with the art cards I prepared for my patrons. This month’s Quarterly Art Card features a brand new, exclusive story snippet for Akira & Suuzu that’s set near the end of Bk5: Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. If you want to catch this and future mailings, consider the leap to patronage. I’d be grateful. And I’ll do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::

forthright on Patreon >>

by Categories: Amaranthine Saga, PatreonTags: , , Leave a comment

ART: Nestmates

Akira and Suuzu. They’re the closest of friends, the lifelong sort. And their story threads straight through the Amaranthine Saga. We haven’t had art of them since they were in middle school, so it was time for an update.

“Nestmates” | art by FoxOfTwilight

Quarterly Art Card. As most of you are probably aware, I create art cards as thank yous for my patrons. More and more, I’ve begun including story snippets on them. Little scenes or outtakes. The next Quarterly Art Card will go out in March, coinciding with the vernal equinox, and THIS is the art I chose to feature. AND I’ve written a scene to go with it, just a private moment between Akira and Suuzu, set near the end of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. Completely original. So if you want MOAR of these nestmates, I hope you’ll consider joining the ranks of supporters over on Patreon >>

zoom in
by Categories: Amaranthine Saga, PatreonTags: , , , , , 11 Comments

Patchy Updates

Not Exactly Lulling. I received several nudges last week, reminding me that I missed updates on some of my stories. This happens periodically, and it’s nothing to worry about. I usually try to “write ahead” so I can post chapters regularly, but I’ve caught up to myself. No reserves. And rather busy with Bk6 at the moment. Also I tend to pile a lot into November (word sprints, festive plans, seasonal mailings, extra shopping, family stuff) so I can take it easy in December. Which means … patchy updates for a while.

Speaking of seasonal mailings, I’ve revealed the Quarterly Art Card for December over on Patreon. This winter scene will round out a collection of four commissions by Lara Pickle for the first four short stories in Songs of the Amaranthine. “The Dark” features a moment in Marked by Stars, and it turned out very pretty, since it’s printed on pearlescent paper. (The snow & sky, they shine!)

If you want to get in on these quarterly mailings (and so many other perks), check out my Patreon, where I appreciate my supporters & try to keep things interesting. ::twinkle::

Close Crop of “The Dark,” art by Lara Pickle. Other illustrations in this set were “The Dance” (for Songs 02), “The Den” (for Songs 03), and “The Drama” (for Songs 04).

forthright on Patreon >>

by Categories: PatreonTags: , , 7 Comments

Quarterly Art Card

Perks of Patronage. I do try to reward those who support me over on Patreon with exclusive content. There are stories (currently spinning out Bard & Barbarian). Narrated chapters (of BnB) by Travis Baldree. And there are a variety of options that mean fun stuff in your mailbox. Most recently, I’ve begun adding story snippets. Amaranthine outtakes that are printed on postcards or art cards, much like September’s Quarterly Art Card.

Printed on felted paper, this 5×7″ art card features an illustration I commissioned last year. “The Drama” by Lara Pickle. She did a piece for each of the first four Songs of the Amaranthine stories. “Name Game” is an original story snippet, set after the events of Governed by Whimsy (Songs of the Amaranthine, #4).

You can still get in on this mailing if you join as a patron before the end of the month. The Quarterly Art Card perk starts at the Twinkle tier ($4/month). Thank you for supporting me and my stories, wherever they may be found!

forthright on Patreon >>

by Categories: Patreon, Songs of the AmaranthineTags: , , , , 4 Comments

Patreon Perks

Quarterly Art Card. There are plenty of reasons to consider supporting me on Patreon. The higher your tier, the more lavish your returns. By now, you know about Bard & Barbarian, the exclusive tale with the added gloss of Travis Baldree’s narration. At every level, there are opportunities to receive mail, from occasional open offers to monthly mail drops. One of my favorites is the Quarterly Bubble Mailer, which I jokingly refer to as an avian courtship. And then there’s the Quarterly Art Card, which is coming up just in time for Dichotomy Day in June.

forthright on Patreon >>

This time around, patrons will receive “Heart of Wardenclave,” which features Waaseyaa and Zisa (Marked by Stars, Mikoto and the Reaver Village). The art card is 5″ x 5″ and is printed onto a heavy, cream-colored linen. Very summery. Very pretty. If you want to receive one, you’ll need to become a patron at the Twinkle tier ($4/month) or higher. Twinkles must request the art card. Higher tiers receive these mailings automatically.

Don’t forget, I have a community goal set for my Patreon account. Once I reach 400 patrons, I’ll begin posting Patreon-exclusive chapters of a novel-length serialization. Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons (Amaranthine Interludes, #2) will take readers back to Kikusawa. “Loosely based on the old Amaranthine tale, ‘The Wolf and the Moon Maiden,’ this serial will involve three sisters, twelve pledges, and the long-awaited stirring of a sleeping landmark.” We’re nudging higher every month (140 patrons as of this posting), and my notes for the book have me giddy. It’ll be worth the wait! ::twinkle::

“Heart of Wardenclave” | art by Nicko

by Categories: PatreonTags: , 1 Comment

Quarterly Art Card

“Heart of a Dog.” As many of you probably already know, I have a Patreon account. (Details about why are on this page.) One of the incentives I provide as a thank you to my supporters is a Quarterly Art Card, and I’ve just revealed December’s. Since Harmonious Starmark’s story has become a Christmas Eve tradition all over the world (in the Amaranthine universe), I thought “Heart of a Dog” (art by FoxOfTwilight) would be Most Appropriate.

These are 5×7″ cards. You can kind of see the shimmer. I had them printed with a pearlized finish. (Very pretteh!) To get in on the offer, become a patron at the Twinkle tier ($4/month) or higher. This is a limited edition offer, and quantities are limited, too. Don’t dawdle.

forthright on Patreon >>

by Categories: Amaranthine Saga, PatreonTags: , , , Leave a comment

Art Card

September’s Mailing. It’s August 1, so I’m revealing the Quarterly Art Card, which is one of the main perks I offer to supporters on Patreon. “The Dance” features Ricker & Fira from Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2).

The Dance, art by Lara Pickle

“The Dance” | art by Lara Pickle

If you want to be included in this art card mailing, become a patron. You’ll get in on snapshots, story snippets, first looks, interesting mail, etc. Look over the tiers (just $1 for Glimmers, up to $44 for Reliquaries) and choose a comfy niche. Want to know more about becoming a patron before taking the plunge? I explain things more clearly under the tab I created for Patreon >>

.  .  .

Community Goal – Progress!
82 / 400

Once I reach 400 patrons, I’ll begin posting a subscription story (available to those pledging $4/month or more). “Loosely based on the old Amaranthine tale, ‘The Wolf and the Moon Maiden,’ this serial will involve three sisters, twelve pledges, and the long-awaited stirring of a sleeping landmark.“ (Yes, I’m talking about the Miyabe sisters. Yes, you’ll get in on more of Kimiko’s courtship of Eloquence Starmark.)

by Categories: PatreonTags: , , , , 1 Comment

Quarterly Art Card

Final Reminder. I don’t like to pester, so this is your final reminder for this quarter. If  you want to get in on the June art card mailing, hustle over to Patreon. “The Den” is available to  those who pledge $4/month (an up). A closer crop of Lara’s art can be found on this post. These incentives are limited edition … like the labels on Junzi chocolates. The next art card is scheduled for September, since we’re going all Amaranthine on this. Solstices and equinoxes! ::twinkle::

Art Card, The Den

The Den | Lara Pickle
4″ x 8″ art card

 

 

by Categories: PatreonTags: Leave a comment

ART: The Den

Quarterly Art Card. This is a friendly reminder about my Patreon account and its incentives. One perk of patronage is the quarterly art card. These are offered in limited quantities and for a limited time. To receive “The Den,” which you can get a peek at on this post, become a patron before the end of May (pledges are collected at the first of the month). For some tiers, art cards are automatically sent. At others, you must request them. Here’s a close crop of the art, which was created by Lara Pickle.

The Den_crop

The Den – close crop

The full piece is quite cinematic and looks lovely on a 4 x 8″ card, which will mail out during the first week of June.

 

by Categories: Patreon, Songs of the AmaranthineTags: , 1 Comment

Quarterly Art Card

Incentive #001. One of the incentives I’m offering patrons (starting at the Twinkle tier) is a quarterly art card. The first will mail out in June. It’s a lovely depiction of the Cooper family that I commissioned earlier this year. (Guess what? Lara is working on art for all four of the Songs of the Amaranthine stories.)

Art Card, The Den

The Den | art by Lara Pickle

forthright on Patreon >>

by Categories: PatreonTags: , , , , 4 Comments